Bronco League Iron Birds Claim GYBA Title

In the one of the most exciting games of the year, the Iron Birds matched up against the Thunder for the 2012 championship game of the Grayslake Youth Baseball Association's Bronco League.

Both teams were able to get to this final game with some outstanding call up players from the Mustang League such as Joey Haliburt, Joey Swanson, Robert Porter, and Kevin Price. 

The starting pitchers were Matthew Rennolds for the Iron Birds and Derek Kolb for the visiting Thunder.

Ryan Price broke open the game with a double and eventually scored, but Matthew Rennolds was able to retire the next three batters in order.  The Iron Birds scored two in the bottom of the first with Matthew Rennolds opening the game with a single and scoring on Mark Keegan’s ground out to second.

After allowing one run and striking out two batters in the top of the second, the Iron Birds broke open the game with five runs in their half of the second inning on runs by Derek Zimmerman, Mark Keegan, Thomas Stadler, Reese Kinzig and Seth Wrzesinski.

Four hits in the top of the third by Jack Caldwell, Charles Schober, Travis Kolb and Cole Sebastian allowed the Thunder to score three runs.  This was Cole Sebastian's second double of the game. Charles Schober was also a force as he caught the entire game making the runners think twice about stealing.

The bottom of the third for the Birds was another good inning with four runs scored on four hits.  The score was 11-5 in favor of the Iron Birds.

Coming into the fourth inning, Matthew Rennolds was close to being taken out due to too many pitches, but was able to shut down the Thunder with one hit and facing only five batters.  His day on the mound was done and hard fought.  The bottom of the fourth was also hard fought as the Birds only scored one run on great pitching.

To summarize the last two innings would be to say it was a mini game in itself.

The Thunder scored ten runs on very aggressive running and eight hits on the new pitcher Brendan Conroy.  This was only Conroy's second turn on the mound this year. The first eight batters reached base and scored.  Conroy retired three of the final six batters to end the inning.

Three runs in the bottom of the fifth by the Iron Birds brought the game to 15-15 with one inning to go.  Wrzesinski gave the Birds a huge lift as he was able to stroke a single just over the second baseman’s head scoring two important runs.

A very tense sixth inning ensued with five of the first seven batters for the Thunder reached and scored.  Conroy was able to strike out the next three batters he faced.  Thunder 20 Iron Birds 15.  The Birds must score 5 runs to stay in this game and throw this game into extra innings.  

Zimmerman was able to coax a walk to start off the inning, only to be followed up with Mark Keegan’s third double of the game on a line drive to left center field scoring Derek.  Then Thomas Stadler came to the plate and ripped a double down the left field line on the first pitch awakening the Iron Birds bench and throwing their hats into the upside down rallying position.

In the mayhem, Mark Keegan scored easily from second base.  Four walks and two more runs scored making the score 20-19 Thunder. Matthew Rennolds belted the ball over shortstop scoring Adrian Salvador from third for the tying run.

The crowd was buzzing with excitement and the Birds were on the verge of a huge comeback.  With Conner Schad waiting and taking an aggressive lead at third, Brendan Conroy was able to scorch a line drive single to left center sending the Iron Birds to the Championship 21-20. 

Both teams were missing key players including Adrien and Alex Cramer, Kyle Hendrix and Logan Crenshaw for the Thunder and Alec Novak and Daniel Guckenberger for the Iron Birds.